State House, Freetown, Thursday 31 August 2023 – His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio today received nine former presidential candidates, out of the eleven registered political parties, who came to congratulate him on his reelection and called on all political parties to engage and put country first.
The political parties, Alliance Democratic Party, ADP, Citizens Democratic Party, CDP, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Peace and Liberation Party, PLP, National Democratic Alliance, NDA, Revolutionary United Front Party, RUFP, Republic National Independent Party, ReNIP, United Democratic Movement, UDM, and the United National People’s Party, UNPP, discussed political inclusion.
Their message was convened on the theme, “Working together with optimism by consolidating the gains and accelerating effective and efficient political, economic, and social transformation for sustainable development in Sierra Leone”.
Chairman of APPA, who doubles as the former presidential candidate for the PDP, Prince Coker, while reading a joint statement on behalf of the political parties, that took part in the 24 June multi-tier elections, said they expressed their sincere satisfaction with the competence, professionalism, impartiality, and independence of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone, ECSL that conducted a free, fair, and credible multi-tier election.
“While we contested to win, we accepted that His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio won the 24th June Presidential election, and we are ready to work with your office for the development of Sierra Leone. We would like to offer to you our most sincere wishes for a successful second term as President,” he assured.
“His Excellency, elections are over, and the people have voted and elected their president. We appreciate the establishment of the electoral review committee on improving electoral processes in our country and we kindly request the inclusion of other political parties in the committee,” he requested.
The statement also urged the leadership of the opposition All People’s Congress, APC, to join them and called on Sierra Leoneans to remain peaceful and refrain from preaching hate and incitement.
President Julius Maada Bio, while accepting their congratulations, said he was delighted to receive them, pointing out that they had demonstrated the beauty of democracy. He said in an election, there must be winners and losers. Notwithstanding that, all parties should work together for the development of the country.
“As we forge ahead, there is a need for unity. There is a need for us to make a conscious effort to bring on board others who feel disgruntled. Other people do not have the spirit of democracy, but as a government, we have certainly laid the foundation for the development of this nation, and we need to consolidate these gains. We cannot afford to go back.
“As I welcome all of you, I am inviting all the registered political parties onboard my government as there are different things we can do as a team and as a nation. As political parties, your buy-in is what I am seeking as your President so that we can take this message to the Paramount Chiefs, the youth, women, and all other groups, to make sure they get their buy-in as far as ‘Feed Salone’ is concerned,” the President urged.
Credit: State House Media and Communications Unit
